Berardi Blog

Since we are approximately one month away from the April 15th deadline to file your taxes, Berardi Immigration Law will be addressing four (4) common issues and concerns that arise with U.S. immigration and tax consequences.  Today, our first part will focus on the U.S. Tax Implications for Canadian Snowbirds.  ***Please note: The purpose of this series […]

While our last post focused on safety issues that are unique to the LGBT traveler, this blog will focus on some specific travel issues that may impact members of the LGBT community. Identification Documents for the Transgendered Individual:  Fact of life – if you don’t have a passport, you will not likely get too far […]

As the final installment of our three-part series, today’s blog will address a very specific solution for some LGBT couples – The B visa for same-sex partners. While the country waits for the Supreme Court to hear two cases related to the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), same-sex individuals continue to look for options […]

Last week, Berardi Immigration Law had a very busy schedule at the Peace Bridge.  Rosanna Berardi, our managing partner, and Jennifer Early, our associate attorney, met a total of six clients to present their applications for a U.S. work permit – and all were immediately approved.  Some of our cases included the following:  A TN […]

At Berardi Immigration Law, our Visa Services Department works with Embassies and Consulates across the globe to schedule Nonimmigrant Visa Interviews for clients. We’ve asked the head of our Visa Services Department, Yvonne Grist, to poll the department and come up with some Countries that deserve to be recognizes with a 2013 Immie award. Criteria […]

Many O-1 petitions are filed by traditional employers where the beneficiary will perform one specific job with just one specific employer. In the entertainment industry, however, the traditional employer/employee relationship doesn’t always exist. Many self-employed workers (actors, performers, musicians, etc.) use agents to arrange short-term jobs with multiple employers. There are several options which provide flexibility for […]

As we discussed in our blog O is for the Oscars and O-1 visas, many individuals in the entertainment industry utilize the O-1 visa as a way to work in the United States.  The O-1 visa has strict guidelines for approval and is intended for individuals with “Extraordinary Ability” in a variety of industries or […]

One of the best parts of being an immigration practitioner is Naturalization day.  We’ve had the honor and privilege of seeing many clients through the entire immigration process from nonimmigrant, to green card holder, to citizenship … and it is always a cause for celebration. Our website provides many resources for individuals interested in the […]

Rosanna Berardi, Managing Partner, recently made an appearance on Buffalo’s WGRZ Channel 2 News. Berardi Immigration Law is comprised of  leading practitioners of Immigration Law in the Buffalo, New York / Southern Ontario region and beyond.  We assist businesses with bringing their foreign national employees into the United States, and individuals wishing to enter the […]

Rosanna Berardi, Managing Partner, recently made an appearance on Buffalo’s WGRZ Channel 2 News. Berardi Immigration Law is comprised of  leading practitioners of Immigration Law in the Buffalo, New York / Southern Ontario region and beyond.  We assist businesses with bringing their foreign national employees into the United States, and individuals wishing to enter the […]

February 24th is Hollywood’s biggest award night – The Oscars.  While many actors are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents (green card holders), there are just as many who are not.  So, how do foreign national actors and others in the entertainment industry work in the U.S.?   The O-1 visa category.   The O-1 visa category […]

Here’s a point-by-point look at everything you need to know about the new Immigrant Visa (IV) fee that takes effect tomorrow: Who Pays? Fee Amount: $165.00 Applies to MOST individuals who receive an Immigrant Visa (IV) package from a U.S. Consulate/Embassy (including Canada and Mexico). Children who enter the United States under the Orphan or […]

President Obama is scheduled to speak at 2:55 ET today from Del Sol High School in Las Vegas. The speech will focus on the President’s plan for comprehensive immigration reform. White House officials stated they are not going to make the President’s specific plan public at this point because they are encouraged by the plan […]

Senators from both sides of the aisle are expected to participate in a press conference at 2:30 pm today “to provide a key update on their discussions on a comprehensive immigration reform bill,” according to a release from Sen. Marco Rubio office. Senators Schumer (D- NY), McCain (R-AZ), Durbin (D-IL), Graham (R-SC), Menendez (D – […]

On Monday, January 21st, President Obama was sworn in for his second term as the 44th President of the U.S.  During his inauguration speech, President Obama signaled his administration’s willingness to take up a number of issues in its second term.  Among those issues:  equal pay for women, voter rights, immigration reform and continued progress […]

Yesterday, Rosanna Berardi accompanied three Canadian clients to the Peace Bridge to present their applications for TN status. All three were approved in record time – just over one hour! Two of the three applicants had a similar issue.  Both were applying for TN work permits under the Computer Systems Analyst category. They both had […]

If you are coming to the U.S. to do “productive work,” even for a short period of time, you must be authorized by the U.S. government to do so. Berardi Immigration Law was recently retained by an independent film company who wanted to obtain work authorization for a Canadian Graphic Designer who has extensive experience […]

Why is it important to use a licensed immigration attorney? The simple answer- so you are fully informed, applications get filed properly, and most importantly your status in the U.S. is not jeopardized.  This week, Berardi Immigration Law, learned of two cases of how the negative consequences of not hiring a licensed immigration attorney can […]

Each new year brings promise, excitement, and goals of self-improvement.  If you are a small business owner in Canada, you might have plans to expand your company into new markets and industries this year.  The L-1 intracompany transferee regulations under the NAFTA treaty provides special rules allowing you to open a new office in the […]

Beginning March 4, 2013, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will start to accept the new provisional unlawful presence waiver of immediate relatives of U.S. Citizens (USC) stateside. Under the new rule immediate relatives (spouse, children under 21, and parents only) of USCs who have been unlawfully present in the U.S. may file this provisional […]